Produção de leite no Rio Grande do Sul: distribuição espacial e fontes de crescimento

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution and performance of microregions in Rio Grande do Sul in terms of milk production, in the period 1995-2020. Specifically, regional specialization, spatial concentration and sources of growth in dairy production were analysed. For this, the Locational Quotient (QL), Locational Gini (GL) and shift-share methods were applied. In terms of regional specialization, there was a decrease in the number of specialized micro-regions, especially those located in the Southeast, South-West and Metropolitan Region of Porto Alegre, simultaneously with an increase in the number of highly specialized micro-regions, which are located mainly in the Northwest mesoregion. The changes in the degree of regional specialization occurred associated with the increase in spatial concentration, demonstrating that, to a certain extent, the more specialized regions became more productive, whether due to favorable dynamics or due to structural conditions. Furthermore, the evidence supports a growth in milk production supported by productivity gains associated with a reduction in the lactating herd and an increase in technology and specialization.